Saturday, December 27, 2008

Under the Wire

Well it's 22:04 saturday night so technically it's still this week. I was about 2 miles out of town when I realized I hadn't blogged yet. Can't have that.

So what's going on? My sister, her husband and their 4 yard apes are in town from Toronto. I have spent the week playing jungle gym, quad driver, and grocery getter for the funny farm. My other sister and her husband were up from Calgary for Christmas Eve, but then made tracks for Saskatchewan to be with his family Christmas Day. My brothers have also been acting as entertainment aids for the kids, and between the 3 of us, have kept the little "darlings" out of Oma and Opa's hair. (between you, me and the fence post... Opa doesn't have a lot of hair to protect).

Hmmmmm, what else is going on? Lots, nothing and all that in between. Clearly I'm tired and have nothing to say. Though in an attempt to have others join my misery, I've had the theme song to Pinky and the Brain in my head all day.

For those who know that show... NARF!

'night everybody, I'm going home.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

24

24... what a great number. This is a number that blasts the half way point for my weight loss goals! A total of 40 lbs by October 09, and there is that wonderful number, 24.

OH YAH!

This is it protruding posterior! You are history! Gonzo! Fini! Kickin' to the Curb!(literally) Filed under G!

Can I get a BOOOOO-YAH!!!!!!

What a wonderful feeling to have to stop every few steps to hike up the pants. Having to remind yourself to yank up the jeans before you sit down so you don't moon people... it's great!

I can't wait to get under my Saber 2, 210 canopy and have it feel like a circus tent. Not having to slow fly every time I leave the plane. Getting to be one of the floaters instead of always in the base. Finally having to punch it out for the extra speed when flying with the big guys! First person to tell me to put on a weight belt is getting a great big hug!

One more time people, all together and with feeling...

24, BOOOO-YAAAAAH!!!!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Guardian Angles

Every one has their own belief systems. Some one thing, others something else. Religious beliefs are as diverse as the cultures that have them.

I am not a religious person, though I am spiritual. And I've had plenty of close calls in the past. Saturday night was no exception.

I was on my way home from a Christmas Party. I had been given offers of couches and spare rooms for the night, but I'm a funny duck and like to be in my own bed.... go figure. The night was a lot of fun, and I'm not a drinker, so driving home was no big deal. The highway was good in spite of the melting snow and freezing rain all day, and I was looking forward to a hot shower. I turned onto the road home and slowed down quite a bit below the posted limit. It hadn't been cleared yet, I was airing on the side of caution.

Half way up the big hill, I hit ice. The back end of my truck swung around and up the hill sideways covering both lanes of traffic I went. I turned into the skid and hit the clutch to cut the drive train, but I wasn't losing any speed. I was calm, yet convinced that I was going to go through the guard rail and roll my truck down the hill into the slew. I remember thinking "awh @#$%, I'm dead... well it was fun while it lasted".

I must have let my foot off the clutch, because suddenly I shot forward just enough that I took the guard rail on the back quarter of the truck. My next thoughts were "OH NO!!! My brand new truck! The fender is going to be totaled" I wanted to cry, but still hadn't regained control. I skidded back over to my lane, (and the steep ditch on that side) managing to get everything straightened out.

Finally I had control back, facing the correct direction. I kept going even slower than before and thanked anyone listening I was okay. I was, however, devastated that I had nailed my baby into the rail. When I got home, I took a deep breath and looked at the back end expecting bent metal and scratched red paint.

Nothing, not a mark. I couldn't believe it! I had taken the impact on the tire itself. Save for some rubbing on the side wall of the tire, my truck was completely untouched. I was shocked. I nearly snuffed myself and came out of it with nothing but an adrenaline dump.

Lucky? Try Blessed.

So thanks again GA for having my back! Hopefully the list of ones I owe you doesn't get too much longer. You deserve a raise.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Snow... with a side of Timmies

We are involved with the Adopt a Driveway program here in Stony Plain. In a nut shell, we clean driveways for our community seniors who are unable to do so themselves. Tuesday heralded the first snow of the season, and Team Crane swooped into action. There were four of us from Team Crane, and (special thanks again for being a part time crane) Ms Petrie from Team Dragon. We, and our Sky Capable cousin, made short work of the snow on our assigned driveway/walkway. It took longer to drive back over to Tim Hortons for hot chocolate and donuts than it did to help our senior out. Bottom line, it felt really good.

Our senior, if left with out help, could have fallen and hurt themselves while trying to clean their own place, or just trying to go to the store. Town bylaws force all residence to clean their walk/driveways with in a specific time period or be fined. How helpless must it feel to be stuck, unable to do something for yourself, to not be able to rely on family for what ever reason? Living on a fixed income is hard enough, but to have the added danger of slipping, the threat of being fined, and no one to turn to. It seems to be a very stressful, lonely situation.

But our town has this program, Adopt A Driveway. People volunteer to take on these homes and make a difference in our seniors life. I know I have tried to fuel a friendly competition (okay raging competition) between the teams to make it more fun (which has worked like magic) but now that we have our first snow under our feet, I have put a lot more thought into it. There are still driveways and their owners out there that need us.

As Mrs Halvorson (Crane Extraordinaire) pointed out, it took only a few minutes of our time, the walk way wasn't bad, and we won't let it get bad... so why don't we get more driveways assigned to us? Well, with a few more teams, we could get them for sure! We should all be talking amongst our teams (hint Queen Crane) to see if we want to take on a second location. At the very least, hassling our training mates to get on a team and do something great for our community, not to mention ourselves.

But that's just some random thoughts.... maybe worth thinking about?

PS
To the Tacky Tigers and Loud Leopards..... Our senior sent us a present! HAHA so there!